Walk and learnGet fit, enjoy the scenery and practice your Irish on the Dingle Peninsula with Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, which is offering a short walking holiday including an Irish language course from April 28th to May 2nd. Irish language classes are held in the morning, while guided walks take place in the afternoon. The cost of the course is €170. For details, see oidhreacht.ie or tel: 066-9156100.
Walks and talksThe Cape Clear Walking Talking festival takes place over the May bank holiday weekend. Ecology, birdwatching, trees and trails walks, as well as a whale and dolphin watching trip, are among the planned activities on Cape Clear (pictured). The cost ranges from €5-€15 per person/per activity. For details, see walkingtalking.info or call 028-41923.
Bluestack rambleDonegal Walkers Welcome and the Bluestack Ramblers are offering a choice of walks on the Saturday and Sunday of the May bank holiday weekend. Participants can choose from easy, moderate or strenuous routes. Prices range from €10 for the easy walk to €60 for two strenuous walks. Details from donegalwalkerswelcome.com, bluestackramblers.com or tel: 087-7844803.
Cong LakesTourism Pure Walking Holidays, with Michaeleen's Manor guesthouse and Cong An Óige hostel, are offering three days' guided walking around Cong and Clonbur over the May bank holiday weekend. The walks will be easy to moderate around Loughs Mask and Corrib. The cost is from €230pps for three nights' BB, three dinners plus three packed lunches. See tourismpurewalking.com or tel: 094-9027797/086-8318748.
The HSE hasissued its annual warning to ramblers, campers and mountain bikers to protect themselves against Lyme disease which is spread by tick bites.
There are 50-100 cases of Lyme disease in Ireland, each year, according to public health specialist Dr Paul McKeown, who suggests walkers should wear long trousers and long sleeved shorts, wearing insect repellent and checking skin for bites.